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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 08:00
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Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.


 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow Updated on: 12 Aug 2025, 16:20
Originally posted by Bunuel on 09 Jul 2025, 08:30.
Last edited by bb on 12 Aug 2025, 16:20, edited 3 times in total.
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Bunuel
Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.
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­

GMAT Club Official Explanation:



(A) Correct. Burying seeds more likely in spots where plants are scarce aligns with the hypothesis: the rodents appear to be “planting” where growth is most needed. This is exactly the behavior that would likely help boost future food supply in their home range.

(B) This weakens the hypothesis. If other animals are stealing the seeds, it makes the strategy less effective for boosting the rodents' future food supply.

(C) Irrelevant/Trap. The stimulus already specifies that rodents bury seeds in shallow caches. Evidence about deep caches doesn’t tell us that shallow caches do germinate or that rodents are optimizing for growth. This option is a weak strengthener at best.

(D) Trap. A surge in seed-burying during drought could signal forward-looking “farming,” but it could just as easily reflect a simple need to stockpile when fresh food is scarce; without more context, this options offers only weak support. Not the best option.

(E) Irrelevant. Knowing that wind and insects handle dispersal where rodents are absent tells us nothing about the rodents’ motives in areas they do inhabit and therefore sheds no light on the hypothesis.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 08:18
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The hypothesis which we need to strengthen is seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Option A is the only one that really strengthens this hypotheses.Because the option says rodents bury in places with less vegetation.What does that mean?,it means rodents specifically did that so vegetation would grow in those low density areas,and thus supports our hypothesis.

Hence A is the answer.
Bunuel
Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.


 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 08:19
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Let's break down the hypothesis and evaluate each option:

Hypothesis: Seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents' home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

We are looking for the option that most strongly supports the idea that seed burying is intentionally or beneficially contributing to plant growth for the rodents' future food supply, beyond just simple forgotten storage.

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.

Support for hypothesis: This option strongly supports the hypothesis. If rodents are strategically burying seeds in areas where plants are scarce, it suggests an active effort to fill in those areas with new plant growth. This aligns perfectly with the idea of "promoting new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply." They are essentially "planting" in areas that need more food sources.

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.

Support for hypothesis: This provides no support for the hypothesis. It's an external factor that reduces the effectiveness of seed storage, but it doesn't speak to whether the rodents are intentionally promoting plant growth.

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.

Support for hypothesis: This weakens the hypothesis. If seeds buried too deep don't germinate, it suggests that the "planting" aspect is not always successful, or that the primary purpose is still food storage (where deeper caches might be safer from other animals, even if less likely to sprout). It doesn't support the idea of promoting growth.

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.

Support for hypothesis: This is ambiguous. Scarce rainfall would make food less plentiful, so burying more seeds might just be a more intense form of food storage during lean times. While new plants might be needed more then, it doesn't necessarily mean the act of burying is designed for planting; it could just be a heightened survival instinct for storing. It doesn't specifically link to promoting growth as a strategy beyond immediate storage.

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.

Support for hypothesis: This tells us about alternative seed dispersal methods, but it doesn't explain the rodents' motivation or the purpose of their burying behavior. It shows rodents play a role in dispersal, but not necessarily that their specific burying behavior is a conscious or beneficial strategy for their own future food supply through new plant growth.

Conclusion:

Option (A) provides the strongest support because it shows a strategic behavior by the rodents to plant seeds in areas that would directly benefit from new plant growth, consistent with the idea of boosting their future food supply.

Answer: A
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 08:39
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Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.


 


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Option A because it supports the fact that there's more germination of the seed as per the hypothesis
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 08:51
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Let's analyze each option:
(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
This strongly supports the hypothesis. If rodents preferentially bury seeds in areas with low plant density, this suggests they may be (consciously or instinctively) promoting plant growth in areas that need it most. This strategic behavior aligns perfectly with the idea that seed-burying serves to boost future food supply by encouraging new growth where it's lacking.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
This actually weakens the hypothesis, as it suggests that some of the potential plant growth is lost to other animals, reducing the benefit to the rodents.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
This is neutral or slightly weakening. The hypothesis specifically mentions "shallow underground caches, and this option discusses deep caches, which wouldn't contribute to new plant growth.
D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
This doesn't clearly support the hypothesis. While it tells us about when rodents bury more seeds, it doesn't connect to the idea that this behavior promotes plant growth for future food supply.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.
This doesn't strengthen the hypothesis. It merely provides information about seed dispersal in areas without rodents, but doesn't address whether rodents* seed-burying promotes plant growth.
The correct answer is (A), as it provides evidence that rodents may be strategically planting seeds in areas where new growth would be most beneficial for their future food supply.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 08:57
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A) correct, if the variable of need for boosting plant growth is reduced and subsequently the observed effect is also reduced, this strengthens the correlation of the two.
b) incorrect, other animals digging up rodents seeds does not strenghten the idea that they bury seeds to boost plant growth.
C) incorrect, weakener.
D) incorrect, irrelevant and doesn't strengthen the idea that they bury seeds to boost plant growth.
E) incorrect, irrelevant and doesn't strengthen the idea that they bury seeds to boost plant growth.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 08:59
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(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
Correct - If this is true, it shows that rodents bury seeds where plants are scarce, suggesting they aim to boost future plant growth and food supply, supporting the hypothesis.

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
Incorrect

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
Incorrect

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
Incorrect

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.
Incorrect

Answer : A
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 09:00
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Premise
Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store.

conclusion :
Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.


strengthen CR

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.

the options gives reason location info and also a reason why rodents bury seeds... strengthens the conclusion ; correct option

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
this option does not support the conclusion

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
this option weakens the conclusion ...

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
the reason in conclusion is not conclusively explained to strengthen the conclusion , as we want to determine reason what leads to new plant growth....


(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.
this weakens the conclusion with alternate reasoning..


IMO OPTION A is correct

Bunuel
Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.


 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 09:01
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Option A provides the strongest support. If rodents preferentially bury seeds where plant density is low, that behavior directly promotes new growth in areas that need it most, consistent with the idea that caching serves to boost future food resources rather than just store food. The other choices don’t show this intentional plant‐boosting function. B just notes seed theft by other animals, C and D describe germination limits or drought effects but not deliberate promotion of growth, and E merely contrasts dispersal mechanisms in rodent‐absent areas without linking rodent behavior to local plant establishment.

Bunuel
Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.


 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 09:05
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Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.


 


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Prethinking:
That rodents intentionally bury seeds in a way/place that helps plants grow.
This behavior benefits the rodents in the future by increasing the food supply.
So we need something that connects seed-burying with future plant growth or increased food availability around their homes.

Now let's do POE

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation. Hmm, in line with our thought. This will help for it's future.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals. Irrelevant.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate. Weaken, This opposes the conclusion.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce. Irrelevant, wheather has no impact.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects. Irrelevant

Hence IMO A
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 09:15
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We have to strengthen the hypothesis that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation. CORRECT, this suggests that they are burying the seeds to promote plant growth where plant density is low and not just burying seeds for food.

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals. Irrelevant, we dont care what other animals do

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate. Weakens the conclusion by suggesting that seeds are not buried to promote new plant growth

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce. It will support the point that seed burying functions for food storage as when rainfall is scarce, new plants won't grow and they are burying it for future food

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects. Irrelevant, we are only concerned with what rodents are doing and what it is for

Ans A
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 09:19
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We need to strengthen the argument, so let's see the answer choices:


(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
  • This tells us that when rodents have plenty of plants around them, they are less likely to bury seeds, meaning they are more likely to bury seeds where plants are scarce. Indicating that they do bury seeds to boost their future food supply. Keep.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
  • "Some" narrows down the scope; also seeds eaten up by other animals are irrelevant. Eliminate.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
  • Whether the seeds buried grow into plants are not is irrelevant; we are interested in whether rodents bury them as a source for a future supply or not. Eliminate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
  • The frequency of burying is irrelevant. Eliminate.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.
  • How seed dispersal happens when rodents are not there is irrelevant. Eliminate

A seems to be the best choice.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 09:23
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Hypothesis- that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

To support the hypothesis, correct option should provide an alternate explanation/evidence

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.This is tempting but note that lower plant density may support either of the action and not both. As stated in premise, it's true that rodent store seeds for future consumption, the choice should provide some reasoning for germination theory.

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.Weakens the Hypothesis
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.Weakens the Hypothesis
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.Weakens the Hypothesis
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.This may seem irrelevant, but look closely, the sentence implies that rodents are the primary agents for dispersal of seeds. This strongly supports the additional claim presented by hypothesis. Correct
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 09:25
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Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation. This makes sense. It suggests they are securing the future food supply seeing the low plant density
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals. Irrelevant we are talking about rodent's intent of burying the seeds
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate. Irrelevant, we are talking about rodent's intent of burying the seeds
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce. Doesn't help. It would have made more sense if the opposite were true
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects. Irrelevant
Bunuel
Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.


 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 09:32
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Bunuel
Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.


 


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Conclusion: seeds buried by rodents boost their food supply. Hinting at: Intentionally rodents might be burying their food to secure future food supply.

A. Keep: It strengthens the arguments as the plants in low vegetation density areas might grow better.
B. Out of scope, no discussion about other animals.
C. Weakens the conclusion as new plant growth is not facilitated.
D. Weakens, as the plant growth will not happen.
E. Out of scope as the seed dispersion is not discussed.

Hence the answer is Option A.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 09:35
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The researchers' hypothesis is that rodents' seed-burying behavior serves not only as food storage but also as a method of cultivation to promote new plant growth and boost future food supplies. To strengthen this hypothesis, we need to find evidence that suggests the rodents are acting like "gardeners" rather than just storing food. The best evidence would show a behavior that is more consistent with planting for future growth than with simply hiding food for later consumption.

Option (A) states that rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation. This behavior strongly supports the cultivation hypothesis. A gardener would plant seeds in an open area with less competition for sunlight and nutrients to give the new plants the best chance to thrive. This strategic placement suggests a purpose beyond simple storage, aligning perfectly with the idea of promoting new growth.

The other options are less supportive or even weaken the hypothesis. (B) weakens the hypothesis by introducing a risk that makes the strategy less effective. (C) is irrelevant as it discusses deep caches, whereas the argument is about shallow caches. (D) weakens the cultivation hypothesis, as planting seeds during a drought is a poor strategy for growth; this behavior is more consistent with storing food during a time of scarcity. (E) is out of scope, as it describes seed dispersal in the absence of rodents and does not explain the purpose of the rodents' specific behavior.

Therefore, the correct answer is (A).
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 09:38
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Hypothesis of researchers is that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.
To strengthen this we need to have a choice that does nothing other than promoting new plant growth for boosting future food supply apart from food storage

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
yes this directly strengthen the argument. Since plant density is low so rodents bury seeds so that their future food supply will boost

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
This somewhat weakens the argument

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
This too undermine the argument as if the seeds do not germinate then it will not lead to plant growth.

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
This is not showing plant growth intention.

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.
This is irrelevant as where rodents are absent, we have nothing to do with that in the argument.

hence Answer is A

Bunuel
Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation.
(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals.
(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.
(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce.
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.


 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 09:48
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Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation. => If rodents are burying the seeds in low plant density areas then there intention can be to have new plants and secure that food supply so this can be our ans. lets keep this

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals. => Okay what happens to seed when they are dug up or eaten is not in the question here we need to support the intention of rodents is food supply + new plants so not the ans

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate. => this gives info about seeds buried in deep cache. but we are in argument concerned about the seeds in shallow caches and those which they are not able to recover we are not concerned whether they germinate or not in deep down. so not the ans

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce. => if this is case then this may be slightly weaken the hypothesis. if they are buring more during rainfall scarce then we are not clear about their intentions so this info does not support. so not the ans

(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects. => again we are not concerned about what happens via wind and insects this is irrelevant for the argument and its not supporting hypothesis so this is not the ans

Hence Ans A
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 8): Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow 09 Jul 2025, 09:49
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Certain rodents bury seeds in shallow underground caches even when food is plentiful, and they rarely recover all the seeds they store. Researchers hypothesize that seed-burying functions not only as food storage but also as a way to promote new plant growth around the rodents’ home areas, thereby boosting their future food supply.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the hypothesis?

(A) Rodents are more likely to bury seeds in areas where plant density is low than in areas with abundant vegetation........ If they bury more seeds in sparsely vegetated areas, so they may be intentionally trying to stimulate new plant growth where it’s most needed......Strong choice

(B) Some of the seeds buried by rodents are occasionally dug up and eaten by other animals......Irrelevant

(C) Seeds buried in deep caches are often too far down to germinate.........weakens the hypothesis .......No

(D) Rodents tend to bury more seeds during years when rainfall is scarce........ This suggests behavior may be tied to weather or food availability, but doesn’t tie directly to plant growth..........No
(E) In areas where rodents are absent, most seed dispersal occurs via wind and insects.......Irrelevant

A
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